For the latter part of WW2 my father was based at Athi River in Kenya and told me that the phrase “How’s your belly off for spots?” was the proper response to the challenge “Legs All Hairy!”

I am almost positive that Nanny Ogg was never an ‘official’ part of the British Army in East Africa but may of course just been visiting to keep up the men’s morale. She certainly has that sort of reputation.

TP is much too young to have been at Athi River himself (he was born the same year that I was). Perhaps our fathers new each other!

I can remember my parents using it when I was v. small. Definitely a services 'saying' and I'm pretty sure it must have been used on the older radio comedy shows like ITMA (It's that Man Again) or the Navy Lark in a medical exam type scenario?

"Some men see things as they are and ask why. Others dream things that never were and ask why not.” George Bernard Shaw

Anything from prickly heat to rampant gangrene on areas not usually open to casual 'kit' inspection Also not confined to the belly region when stationed in 'forn' climes where ladies were not known for their personal hygiene when negotiating their affection

"Some men see things as they are and ask why. Others dream things that never were and ask why not.” George Bernard Shaw

If one of the soldiers heard someone lurking in the bush, he would challenge with the phrase 'Legs All Hairy'. If the response was 'Hows Your Belly Off For Spots?" it would indicate a friend. Otherwise they discharged their weapon in the general vicinity of the noise, or 'legged it' back to camp, or both. I understood that a few 'accident' of mistaken identity did occur...He used to tell the story (several times) of how when the appropriate response was not forthcoming the whole patrol on a word of command each threw a hand grenade into the bush surrounding a watering hole and blew up a hippopotamus!

I'm sure that Terry could easily work this into one of his stories, but it might seem rather too far fetched even for DiscWorld!